Mike Krause Named New THEC Leader

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has announced the appointment of Mike Krause as executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Krause will take over Aug. 1.

Mike Krause has been selected by Gov. Haslam to lead the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. (Photo: Dawn Majors)

Krause has served as executive director of the Drive to 55 since Haslam created it in 2014. He managed the launch and implementation of Tennessee Promise and the other initiatives under the Drive to 55 umbrella.

Krause will replace Russ Deaton, who has been interim executive director of THEC since 2014, when Richard Rhoda retired. Deaton, who has been with THEC since 2000, has been named deputy executive director.

“Mike’s enthusiasm for higher education and his passion for making college accessible to all Tennesseans have led to the success of Tennessee Promise,” Haslam said. “He has been an instrumental part of my administration, leading our efforts to increase the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 55 percent by 2025, and I know he will use that same drive and focus to help lead THEC during this exciting time for higher education in Tennessee.”

Krause said Drive to 55 has increased the number of Tennesseans going to college, and he expects to work with legislators, employers and higher education leaders to make sure the numbers continue to increase.

”In Tennessee, we’re working to make sure that every student – from the high school graduate to the returning adult – has the tools he or she needs to access and succeed in higher education and find a quality job in the workforce,” Krause said.